Timsbury Athletic 2

Ilminster Town 0

Timsbury Athletic bounced back from their first league defeat since October with a 2-0 home win against Ilminster Town in the Uhlsport Somerset County League Premier Division.

Despite a number of first half chances it took Timsbury until the 57th minute to break through with a spectacular effort from Toby Neilson before substitute Sam Gregory wrapped up the game three minutes from time.

Rico Sobers was well wide with an early chance for the home side and Josh Swarbrick headed just past the post from a Callum Taylor free-kick. A great cross from Sobers found the head of Rhys Cook but the prolific scorer was on the back foot and his effort was easily held by Shay Allen in the Ilminster goal.

A telling run from Chris Midgley saw him pull the ball back for Cook but his shot went the wrong side of the post. The visitors were causing few goalmouth threats at the other end although Louis Rutter chipped just over the top and captain Lee Sweet was wide with an ambitious shot from distance. Matt Brooks came close for Timsbury hooking just over the top while Taylor Jefferson found the net for the visitors but was ruled offside.

Ilminster began the second half vigorously and after Luke Woodland had shot wide Sweet struck the home crossbar with a tremendous shot from distance. Timsbury then took the lead with a goal that was well worth waiting for. Out of nothing Neilson twisted in mid-air and rifled his shot past a bemused Allen for only his second goal of the season.

Almost immediately Timsbury could have doubled their lead but somehow Allen managed to deny substitute Tim Midgley who seemed certain to score with almost his first touch of the ball. Timsbury were then lucky to survive a melee in their goal area and the result hung tantalising in the balance until the home side’s late strike.

A pinpoint pass from Sobers put Gregory through and he finished with clinical precision.